Sigourney Weaver's involvement in the Star Wars universe took a thrilling turn at Star Wars Celebration 2025 during the panel for the upcoming film, *The Mandalorian & Grogu*. In an exclusive interview with IGN, Weaver shared insights into her new character, her experiences with Grogu, and her journey into the Star Wars saga. Set for release on May 22, 2026, *The Mandalorian & Grogu* promises to be an exciting addition to the franchise, and this interview sheds light on what fans can expect.

Sigourney Weaver at Star Wars Celebration 2025.

IGN: Sigourney, thank you so much for joining us! We were thrilled to see your character in The Mandalorian & Grogu panel, and it looks like she was maybe wearing a Rebel pilot uniform? What can you tell us about your character at this point?

Sigourney Weaver: My character indeed dons a Rebel pilot uniform. She's dedicated to safeguarding the New Republic, particularly in the Outer Rim, where remnants of the Empire still linger. She relies on allies like the Mandalorian and his loyal companion to help her mission.

IGN: We heard that your love of Grogu was one of the reasons you decided to take on this role, so what was it like to actually work with him?

Weaver: Working with Grogu was a delight. He's incredibly mischievous, which I'm sure won't surprise fans. Despite the presence of multiple puppeteers, Grogu's charm was undeniable. To me, he always felt very real.

IGN: You’ve worked with a lot of different kinds of aliens in your career, from Xenomorphs to Na’vi. What was it like working with those in comparison to Grogu?

Weaver: Grogu is by far the cutest alien I've worked with. While Xenomorphs and Na’vi have their unique appeal, Grogu's adorable nature is unmatched. The Japanese term 'Kawaii' perfectly describes him!

Weaver: I felt incredibly fortunate that Jon Favreau didn't insist I watch the series before joining. It was thrilling to work on a Star Wars project with him. From the very first episode, I was captivated by the Western-inspired storytelling and charming characters. It was an excellent way for me to re-enter the Star Wars universe, which can sometimes be confusing with its many projects.

The narrative of Din Djarin and Grogu, coupled with compelling antagonists like Werner Herzog, kept me hooked. I couldn't help but worry about Grogu's fate!

IGN: Love it. Now, looking forward, you're certainly in the footage that we saw this morning. We saw you sharing a scene with Grogu and him using his Force powers to try to steal… was it like a dish of food or something?

Weaver: Yes, he was after my little bowl of snacks. I had to be quite assertive to get them back, but it was all in good fun.

IGN: Speaking of which, do you get to see Grogu use his Force powers in all their glory in this movie?

Weaver: Absolutely. Grogu is constantly up to something. I get to witness his playful use of the Force at our base. It's clear he's transitioning from a learner to a skilled apprentice. It's fascinating to see his growth from the series to the film.

IGN: I'm still very interested in how you came to this project and your experience with Star Wars in general, dating back to the very first movie. Going through all of what we've seen so far. Do you have a favorite movie from the series?

Weaver: My favorite is Rogue One. I admire Felicity Jones's character and feel a kinship with the Rebellion. Revisiting the older films was like returning to my childhood. Star Wars offers a unique way for everyone to engage with the universe, no matter where they start.

IGN: Last question. Who is the most powerful being in the universe? Grogu or a Xenomorph?

Weaver: As much as I adore Grogu, I believe a Xenomorph would come out on top. Their nature drives them to dominate and destroy, whereas Grogu, like Yoda, is on the side of good and wisdom.

IGN: And he’s just too cute to be all that threatening, right?

Weaver: Absolutely, though if he had stayed with Werner Herzog, who knows what might have happened!